Chinese training centre expands its offerings

As the demand for maintenance mechanics and other aviation personnel grows in China, the Airbus/CASC Hua-Ou Aviation Training Centre joint venture is responding with online programmes and English language instruction.

China's Hua-Ou Aviation Training Centre is adding new elements to its suite of training opportunities in response to the country's growing demand for maintenance mechanics and other personnel.

The Beijing centre - a joint venture between Airbus and Aviation Supplies Holding Company, which opened in 1997 - has signed an agreement with French knowledge management company Cybel SA to begin building and marketing an online training system for maintenance mechanics.

The Chinese-language system will be adaptable to aviation technicians at airlines, maintenance repair organisations and schools, as well as other users in the Chinese market.

Airbus has identified a crucial need for new approaches in aviation technical training. The demand for programmes that blend classroom instruction with online learning is particularly high in a market as large and diverse as China.

In addition, Hua-Ou has partnered with Ireland-based Edgewater College to provide students with English language training, which also plays a critical role in the growth of civil aviation in China.

The Hua-Ou Aviation Training Centre is part of Airbus' global training network. Equipped with three full flight simulators - two for the A320 and one for the A330/A340 - the centre provides Airbus aircraft operators with customised training programmes for flight crews, mechanics, engineers, and cabin crews. Since its inception, Hua-Ou has trained more than 18,000 people with more than 30 airlines.